An openly gay father living in a Louisiana suburb penned an emotional post that has since gone viral exposing his experience as a homosexual man living in the South

An openly gay father living in a Louisiana suburb penned an emotional post that has since gone viral exposing his experience as a homosexual man living in the South.

Eric Alexander detailed the discrimination he experiences on a daily basis, and how the infallible love and support of his partner and baby daughter have helped him become a more confident man.

The post, originally published on GaysWithKids, first discussed his upbringing in southern Mississippi and his struggle to identify as homosexual.

'Some people in the South usually do not get the gravity of being different unless they are actually different themselves or have been affected directly by someone's differences.

'People there don't empathize easily. It is a deep-rooted mentality, taught throughout life. Some children of these households are told that being different is weird. It usually 'goes against their religion' and is looked down on,' Eric continued.

Eric Alexander detailed the discrimination he experiences on a daily basis, and how the infallible love and support of his partner and baby daughter have helped him become a more confident man

The post, originally published on GaysWithKids, first discussed his upbringing in south Mississippi and his struggle to identify as homosexual

'For me, as a teenager, learning that I wasn't like all the other boys was particularly difficult. I was a late bloomer and a pretty small and shy boy. I didn't like sports and I kept to myself mostly. I was often bullied about my differences. There is only so much that someone can take before they really start to question their purpose in life.

'I was called gay before I even knew what gay meant. Over time, it really hurt me and would often break me down.'

He notes that although he experienced his own unique difficulties, he is aware that his experiences are not just limited to living in the South of the United States.

When he moved to New Orleans, Eric said he was able to let go of many of the insecurities that plagued him in the past.

He notes that although he experienced his own unique difficulties, he is aware that his experiences are not just limited to living in the South of the United States

However, he said that he did not feel he was truly able to 'move on' until he and his partner Douglas welcomed their infant daughter Allie Mae, who he called 'absolute light of our lives'.

Once he became a father, once again came the notion of feeling inadequate, as stares and murmurs often followed him down the street and around town.

'I feel like I probably read into things too much, or maybe I overthink things. It is hard for me to turn a blind eye to glares from onlookers. Just last year, Mississippi passed a freedom of religion law that allows any business to refuse service to customers that goes against their religion.

'Yes, in 2017, in my home state of Mississippi, my own family can be denied service because we are different from most people. My little girl's parents are gay, and because of that we can be turned away. It breaks my heart.'

When he moved to New Orleans, Eric said he was able to let go of many of the insecurities that plagued him in the past

Once he became a father, once again came the notion of feeling inadequate, as stares and murmurs often followed him down the street and around town

However, he said that he did not feel he was truly able to 'move on' until he and his partner Douglas welcomed their infant daughter Allie Mae, who he called 'absolute light of our lives'

Eric drew strength from his youngster, and from the desire for her to not know the pain he feels as a result of discrimination in the United States.

One day, he says, his partner told him something that made him think twice about the way he perceived those around him.

Douglas said: 'What if the people's glares were actually stares?'

'This may be the first time straight people have ever seen a gay family. This may be the first time they have ever seen a baby be as happy as ours with two dads. This may be the time that we proved to them that gay people can be just as good of parents as traditional ones. We are even better than some.'

One day, he says, his partner told him something that made him think twice about the way he perceived those around him

Douglas continued: 'Everytime we go out, people stare because they may have never seen this before. Rather than being self-conscious about it, own it. Let it be a teaching experience for them. Don't read into their stares. Most likely they are staring with curiosity and not judgment.'

This inspired Eric to take to the streets of suburban New Orleans with his head held high, despite being the only gay dads there that they know.

The post ended with a well-suited quote from Helen Keller, which Eric says 'sums it all up' for him.

She said: 'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.'